Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Oxford/Oxfordshire

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Oxford/Oxfordshire? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Orwells

4.9

4.9 (1392)

£41 and over

British

Binfield Heath

About the restaurant

Welcome to Orwells

Nestled in Binfield Heath near Henley-on-Thames, Orwells is led by Michelin-starred chefs Ryan Simpson and Liam Trotman. Our focus is on showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients—sourced locally and beyond—through refined, honest cooking that lets the produce shine.

Blending a rural ethos with modern techniques, our kitchen delivers elegant yet approachable dishes. Orwells is proudly featured in all major dining guides and has held 4 AA Rosettes for nine consecutive years, reflecting our commitment to excellence.

Relax in our cosy, stylish dining room, unwind in the lounge, or enjoy garden views on sunny days with al fresco dining. We’re also dog-friendly, welcoming well-behaved companions.

Menus:

À la Carte (Wed–Sat): £65 (2 courses) / £75 (3 courses)

Tasting Menu: £130 per person

Sunday Roast: £55 (2 courses) / £65 (3 courses)
(Tasting menu available Sundays on request)

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Ryan, Liam & the Orwells Team x

Top review

Jenny

Dined 6 days ago

Orwell’s is fine dining at its best. We had the most amazing starters, mains & desserts. However, we were looking forward to the triple cooked chips but were offered Beijing spiced fries, which we had & were delicious. Somewhat disappointed though when a table near us had the chips!!

The Snooty Mehmaan

4.9

4.9 (849)

£25 and under

Indian

Faringdon

About the restaurant

The Snooty Mehmaan is a refined contemporary Indian restaurant in the Oxford suburb of Faringdon.

Welcome to the Snooty Mehmaan! Previously the Snooty Fox, the Snooty Mehmaan now delivers the best in Indian & Thai food all expertly prepared by our award winning chef.

Our stylish and contemporary revamp of this former pub is able to accommodate a variety of functions including Weddings, Christenings, Business Meetings and friends/family get togethers.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Snooty Mehmaan for lunch or dinner. We serve our A La Carte menu daily. If you are Vegetarian or have special dietary needs please tell us and we will endeavour to offer you a wider choice of meals… During Sunday lunch we serve a delicious Indian buffet. (Please note we do not serve our full menu at Sunday lunch).

Top review

Wendy

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent meal and wonderful service a lovely evening. Thank you

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Popular dish

Tandoori Roti

The Nest at The Feathers Hotel

4.8

4.8 (61)

£41 and over

British

Woodstock

About the restaurant

Ruffle some feathers.
When you have a comfortable bed to tumble into, just a few steps from the dining room, it’s as well to do so replete with fine food and maybe a glass or two of a good wine.
Eating and drinking is at the heart of The Feathers experience. The award-winning Restaurant serves the best of modern English cuisine and locally sourced ingredients.

Lunch served from 12pm to 2:30pm,Thursday,Friday,Saturday,Sunday
Dinner served from 6pm to 9:30pm Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday.
Wine Bar Menu availible daily form 12pm to 9:30pm
Sunday Lunch Menu from 12pm to 3pm (Sunday only).

Top review

Stacey

Dined 7 days ago

Equisit, well presented food, amazing flavours. Brilliant friendly staff. Very special treat.

No1 Ship Street

4.8

4.8 (2541)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Oxford

About the restaurant

No.1 Ship Street offers Oxfords most exciting food alongside its most astute service, over two floors. A Modern British brasserie with daily fish specials that include oysters, mussels and lobster.

Top review

Jeff

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful food, some of the best in Oxford. Attentive service.

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Popular dish

Crème Brûlèe

The Orangery at RH England

4.8

4.8 (175)

£41 and over

American

Banbury

About the restaurant

Located at RH England, a 400-year-old landmark estate in the Cotswolds, the Orangery offers a dramatic live-fire dining experience in a luminous setting. The menu features a wood-grilled Australian Wagyu ribeye, fresh-carved rotisserie chicken, a whole branzino and the house favorite, a wood-grilled avocado with 15 grams of Petrossian Imperial Kaluga Caviar, along with fine wines and Champagnes.

For group dining inquiries, please email: aynhoeparkhospitality@rh.com

Top review

Alix

Dined 6 days ago

Second time at the Orangery and lovely experience again. This time we tried the Swedish pancakes and were let down by this dish. Unlike everything else we tried which was fabulous- nobody asked for feedback on this dish. The service was not as good as our first visit but still quite good. I would absolutely not recommend the Swedish pancakes (brunch menu) but everything else was a ten out of ten.

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Experience

Afternoon in the Tea Salon

Embassy

4.6

4.6 (432)

£26 to £40

Contemporary Indian

Bicester

About the restaurant

Step into a restaurant unlike any other – where the flavours of East and West are given equal reverence, and culinary tradition is reimagined with thoughtful innovation. Embassy is a place where contrasts complement: refined yet relaxed, familiar yet unexpected.

Our unique dual-menu concept showcases two rich culinary legacies side by side. Whether you’re in the mood for the bold, spiced soul of Punjabi cuisine or the refined, comforting notes of modern British fare, every dish is crafted with intention and integrity.

Set within the serene grounds of The Chesterton Hotel, Embassy offers a stylish, versatile space perfect for intimate dinners, celebratory gatherings, or long, lazy lunches that stretch into the evening.

Join us for an experience that’s as distinctive as it is harmonious — a meeting point of culture, creativity, and genuine hospitality.

Top review

Emily

Dined on Jun 23, 2025

The food was excellent and the staff very friendly. Overall a lovely evening thank you.

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Experience

Afternoon Tea

The Cygnet at the Swan Inn

4.6

4.6 (140)

£41 and over

English

Kidlington

About the restaurant

"The Cygnet at The Swan" is an award winning restaurant. We have currently been awarded "3AA Rosettes" since being open, as well as both local awards "Ox in a Box" and "Muddy Stilettos Best Restaurant" awards.

We are open from Thursday to Sunday (lunch) with bookings are encouraged but not necessary. We consider ourselves "relaxed fine dining" style, always looking out for our guests comfort and experience. Our food is served as a selection of small and large plates arriving with a varied timing.

Top review

Carole

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

Lovely meal in the restaurant with pre dinner drinks and again after in the garden. Would definitely recommend. Had the steak and wine offer on Thursdays at the moment . 2xSteak meals and either 1/2 or whole bottle of Bordeaux for £60/£70. Very good value and delicious.

The Bear and Ragged Staff

4.5

4.5 (216)

£25 and under

British

Bicester

About the restaurant

The Bear & Ragged Staff in Cumnor is a world away from the Newbury & Swindon roads that stream past only a mile from its door. The heart of the pub is a glorious Tudor beauty. Ancient fireplaces, flagstone floors, and mullioned windows with carved lintels make the bar one of the finest anywhere. A comfortable eatery, conservatory, and South-facing terrace provide spaces for every mood – and winding stairs lead to cosy bedrooms with old oak doorways and beamed ceilings.

Top review

Andrew

Dined 5 days ago

For was excellent, staff friendly and very attentive. Would definitely visit again!

The Ivy Oxford Brasserie

4.5

4.5 (7574)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Oxford

About the restaurant

The Ivy Oxford Brasserie is located on the bustling High Street in the heart of Oxford. Enjoy an accessible all-encompassing menu, serving British classics from dawn until dusk, including breakfast, elevenses, weekend brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, light snacks, dinner and cocktails.

Top review

Nick

Dined 2 days ago

Atmosphere, service, food & drink excellent, as usual.

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Traditional Fish and Chips

Côte Brasserie - Henley

4.4

4.4 (50)

£25 and under

French

Henley-On-Thames

About the restaurant

Nestled among historic streets, quirky shops and independent galleries, Côte Henley is perfectly located - whether it's for breakfast, a lunchtime treat, or a romantic dinner. Our welcoming, French restaurant is in the heart of Henley market town, close to the Thames riverside and only a three-minute walk from Kenton Theatre, making it a great choice for a pre-theatre dinner. We also have a secret courtyard garden hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the town, perfect for alfresco dining and long catch-ups in the sunshine.

Top review

Alexa

Dined 1 day ago

Good for what we needed, not amazing but tasty and quick service 👍

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